Police scour Liknes house for last time

Parkhill property no longer actively investigated

Members of the Calgary Police Service were back at the home of Alvin and Kathryn Liknes scouring the home for evidence in their missing persons case on July 12, 2014.

Photograph by: Colleen De Neve
, Calgary Herald

The blue-grey weatherboard home at 123 38A Avenue S.W. Calgary looks as quiet and well-kept as any other on the street, save for one small difference.

A candle decoration with flowers and votives sits on the front lawn, along with a note that reads “I Believe.”

The small tribute is the only immediate hint that this is the house of Alvin and Kathryn Liknes, and the place they and their five-year-old grandson Nathan O’Brien disappeared from two weeks ago.

The three were last seen at the house late on June 29, and had vanished by the next morning. Police have combed the property for evidence in the fortnight since.

On Sunday, they released the home as part of their investigation. The ever-present police tape and patrol cars of the past two weeks were gone.

Still, people knew this was the scene of one of Calgary’s most high profile crimes.

On Sunday morning, traffic on the quiet suburban street slowed even more outside the property as motorists turned their heads for a better look. They knew which house they were looking for.

Nearby, the green ribbons adopted as a symbol of hope for the missing family remained on display in many front yards.

The house was the early centre of the investigation into the disappearance. It was not left in its normal condition, police said early in the investigation, and later revealed there was evidence of a violent altercation there that likely left at least one person in “medical distress.”

Police searched the property a final time on Saturday.

Plastic grey boxes and a paper bag filled with personal items sat on the pathway leading up to the home, along with a rake and shovel.

At least three officers could be seen carefully looking through every item in the single-vehicle garage at the front of the home. They sifted through buckets, coolers, cardboard boxes, and scrutinized aerosol spray cans, clothing, a fire extinguisher, lawn chairs, and a block of wood among other things.

Even the walls of the garage weren’t missed, with one officer shining a flashlight to get a closer look.

Officers also examined a dark grey Nissan Altima parked on the driveway, checking the trunk, under the hood, and underneath the vehicle.

For now, investigators are concentrating their search on the Spyhill Landfill in northwest Calgary and a 16-hectare rural property in Airdrie owned by the parents of Douglas Garland, so far the only person of interest identified in the case.

Garland, 54, has not been charged in connection with the missing persons case, but has been in custody on unrelated identification theft and credit card charges.

On Friday, he was granted bail on $750 cash and several conditions, including a 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew, not possessing a passport and not leaving the province without permission from his release supervisor or the court.

He is to reside in traditional housing, which could include a hotel, motel, Calgary Drop-In Centre, Mustard Seed, Salvation Army or the Centre of Hope. But he cannot live at his parents’ home.

Police confirmed Saturday that Garland had been released from the remand centre, but they would not say when or where he was now living.

Court documents show Garland has a criminal history involving drugs and identity theft.

His sister is in a common-law relationship with a Liknes relative. In addition to the family connection, sources have said the two were in business together several years ago but it ended acrimoniously.

Police have indicated they are looking into business dealings involving Garland and the Liknes family.

Garland is scheduled back in court Aug. 6.

An Amber Alert remains in effect in the case. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact police at 403-266-1234, by email at homicidetips@calgarypolice.ca, or via Crime Stoppers.